Ella's pups were the 2nd to have their whelping box removed. In Ella's case, she was miffed when I did Cinnamon's and kept coming to me to do hers. I have to laugh.
How did they do without the comfort of the closed in whelping box? They are taking to it as if it is meant to be. No reaction. They spread out. They investigated. They cuddled and Ella is realizing that I can lay in the xpen with her and she rather likes that.
Be sure to check out the videos. I am uploading them as I do the blog.